Tonight I was fortunate to watch Everybody’s Talking About Jamie by Whitley Bay Musical Theatre Company at Whitley Bay Playhouse. This was an amateur production delivered by a highly skilled cast.
The show centres on Jamie, a 16-year-old who dreams of becoming a drag queen, and the production explores a number of sensitive and important themes throughout.
The production itself had strong values across the board. I particularly want to highlight the choreography, which was expertly crafted and imaginative by Sophie Clarke. The scenery and props were used effectively, allowing for seamless transitions between scenes, while the lighting was also delivered to a good standard.
The first half featured a strong performance from the ensemble — or in this case, “The Class of Mayfield High School 2026.” Every performer within this group contributed well, creating a lively and engaging presence on stage. I particularly enjoyed Ellerose Guillory’s performance as Becca.
The production also features characters who wear the hijab — a detail that carries real cultural and personal significance. In this amateur setting, the roles appeared to be performed by non-Muslim actors, reflecting the practical realities of community casting, though it is a choice some audiences may view through a wider cultural lens. The company, however, approached these characters with care and respect within the resources available.
The second half saw stronger performances from the principal cast, with particularly impressive vocals from Becky Lakin as Pritti and Sarah Wales as Margaret New. Maeve O’Sullivan-Coles gave an enjoyable and confident portrayal of Ray, while Ashton Williamson’s Dean Paxton was excellent.
In the title role, Ryan Duffy delivered strong vocals, and his acting was solid throughout.
In terms of energy, the first half saw the ensemble bursting with life, at times outshining the principal cast. However, in the second half, the leads stepped up a level, bringing greater intensity and presence to their performances.
Direction from Carl Luke was clear throughout, with a strong sense of flow. The use of the audience space and the handling of the interval were particularly effective touches that added to the overall experience.
The standout performer for me was Becky Lakin, combining fantastic acting with powerhouse vocals.
If there was one area for improvement, it would be the casting of Jamie. This is not a reflection on Ryan Duffy’s performance, but he appeared older than his on-stage peers, which slightly reduced the sense of youthful innocence within the character.
The audience clearly loved the show, responding with huge applause.
The first half built steadily, while the second half moved at pace — arriving with real momentum.
Due to the outstanding performances, particularly from the ensemble, I would award this production 5 stars. A show well worth seeing.
Class Is In Session: Whitley Bay’s Jamie Earns Top Marks- 5 Stars
Everybody’s Talking About Jamie – PLAYHOUSE Whitely Bay
About the Author
